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Lumberjacks, NTDP U18s kick off season at USHL Atlantic Challenge

MiHockey Staff

ushl boxBy @MichaelCaples –

The Muskegon Lumberjacks and the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team both started their 2014-15 seasons with preseason action at the USHL Atlantic Challenge in New York over the weekend.

The Lumberjacks posted a 2-1 record over their three games, while the NTDP won both of the games they played in.

On Friday, the two Michigan programs took on one another in the preseason opener for both clubs, with the NTDP claiming a 5-1 victory. Carleton native Brendan Warren led the NTDP with a pair of goals in the win, while Brownstown native Matt Iacopelli had the lone goal for the ‘Jacks.

Things got better for the Lumberjacks over the course of the weekend, however. On Saturday, they beat the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders 4-3 to pick up their first win of the preseason. Algonac native Tom Marchin scored the ‘Jacks’ first goal and scored their last goal, both on assists from Brighton native David Keefer.

The next day, Muskegon picked up their second straight win, this time topping the Lincoln Stars 4-2. Brighton native Cooper Marody scored a pair of goals for the ‘Jacks, helping them finish their New York appearance with a winning record. Macomb native Michael Latorella picked up his first win in the contest, stopping 25 of 27 shots.

Meanwhile, the NTDP U18s closed out their Atlantic Challenge slate with a 4-1 win over the Lincoln Stars on Saturday. Freeport, N.Y. native Jeremy Bracco scored a pair of goals in his home state to lead the NTDP to victory, while Washington, D.C. native Michael Lackey stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced.